James Bascoe-Smith, a young man who was left paralyzed in a wheelchair after a brutal and unprovoked stabbing attack in London, has now been dealt another devastating blow – a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. This news comes three years after the horrific incident that changed his life forever.
The attack, which occurred in February 2021, saw James ambushed by two hooded men while he was testing his mother’s bike near their former Brixton home. The assailants, Leon Rashid and Taiquane Lewis, then aged 20 and 19, used multiple weapons including a combat knife, a zombie-style machete, and a Rambo-style knife in the vicious assault. James collapsed during the attack, crying out for his mother as he lay bleeding on the ground.
As a result of the stabbing, James ‘died’ for 50 minutes due to a lack of oxygen and blood to the brain before being revived by medics. The now 20-year-old has since spent 174 days in the hospital and has been left with a permanent brain injury, rendering him unable to work. His life has been a constant battle of rehabilitation and recovery, with regular physiotherapy and hospital appointments becoming the norm for him.
Shortly after undergoing surgery to help straighten his legs, James began experiencing severe health issues. His temperature spiked, and he started vomiting repeatedly, prompting a series of tests that ultimately led to the cancer diagnosis. James’s mother, Lisa, who has had to leave her job to care for her son full-time, received the devastating news that her son would need to undergo months of grueling chemotherapy.
In an emotional appeal to end knife crime, James’s aunt, Rachel Duncan, expressed her frustration with the lack of tangible action being taken to address the issue. She highlighted the profound impact that the attack has had on James’s life, stating that he has spent the best part of his teenage and adult years in the hospital. The toll on James’s mental and physical well-being has been immense, with his ability to live a normal life forever altered by the senseless violence inflicted upon him.
Despite his attackers being brought to justice and sentenced to prison, James continues to struggle with the physical and emotional aftermath of the attack. His mother and he have had to relocate to a different area and have been housed in a two-bedroom accessible flat, but issues with dampness and cockroaches have led to regular chest infections for James, adding further stress to an already challenging situation.
As James battles cancer and works towards his recovery, his mother is determined to raise awareness and support for the Teenage Cancer Trust by participating in a skydiving event shortly after James’s 21st birthday. The family is facing an uphill battle, both financially and emotionally, as they navigate the complexities of James’s ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
The news of James’s cancer diagnosis comes at a time when knife crime rates in England and Wales are on the rise. Despite efforts to curb the prevalence of knife-related offenses, statistics show that a significant percentage of homicides are still attributed to knife violence. The government has implemented measures such as banning zombie-style knives and machetes in an attempt to address the issue, but more comprehensive strategies are needed to tackle the root causes of knife crime.
In the wake of James’s diagnosis, his family is calling for a more holistic approach to addressing knife crime, one that involves collaboration across various sectors including education, healthcare, and law enforcement. They stress the importance of including the voices of survivors in conversations about violence prevention and intervention, recognizing that the impact of such traumas extends far beyond the immediate physical injuries.
As James continues his fight against cancer and works towards reclaiming his life, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting consequences of senseless violence. His resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges is a testament to his strength and determination, inspiring others to advocate for change and work towards a future free from the scourge of knife crime.
